Ashington sign six players to contracts

Brian Bennett – Ashington FC correspondent

Ashington FC have put six of their players on contracts with the possibility of more to follow.

The club said they are being rewarded for their performances last season.

James Taylor, Ben Christensen, Kyle Downey, Conor Grant, Kyle Oliver and skipper Andrew Johnson have all signed on the dotted line.

Woodhorn Lane head coach Ian Skinner said: “We are delighted to have secured the services of all six for the coming season.

“Basically Christensen, Oliver and Johnson were renewals as they were on contract last season.

“Placing Grant and Downey onto contracts was because their performances were reflected in the awards they got at the end of season presentation evening.

“Grant took the players’ player of the year and Downey scooped both the player of the year and supporters’ player of the year.

“Both have got big futures at the club and we wanted to get them tied up on a contract.

“James Taylor has been unlucky with injuries but we looked after him; he is a lad who is committed to the club and out of loyalty we are pleased he has signed too.

“We expect to offer contracts to more players. One of our thoughts as we look ahead to the new season is to have a tight knit set of players with the majority on contracts who start and finish the campaign together, and where we end up will be down to how well everybody performs collectively as a group across the whole club.

“It’s hectic at the moment trying to get around to speak to last year’s players whilst also having irons in the fire for potential newcomers.

“As a management team, we are probably working harder now trying to make sure everything is in place for the start of the new season.”